Doma Vaquera (Spanish ganado bravo handling riding style) granted BIC status

THe goverment of Castilla y Leon has granted Doma vaquera has the BIC Bien de Interes Cultural category. A Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) is a designation granted by the Spanish government to protect tangible or intangible assets of exceptional cultural value as part of the national heritage. Once something is declared BIC, it receives strong legal safeguards to ensure its preservation.

Given the number of ganaderías de bravo  in the region, it seemed very logical, since monta vaquera  is so closely linked to cattle handling, along with related activities such as the use of the garrocha , acoso y derribo, etc.—all of which are ethnographic expressions worthy of legal protection, See a link to the related news item published in El País: https://elpais.com/espana/2026-05-07/castilla-y-leon-nombra-la-doma-vaquera-como-bien-de-interes-cultural.html and a summury of the article: The regional government of Castilla y León jdescribes doma vaquera  as an important form of intangible cultural heritage.

• It is a unique equestrian tradition shaped by military riding and the historical work of managing fighting cattle (ganado bravo)

• Its roots go back centuries and are tied to monastic traditions, medieval estates, and historic cattle ranches.

• Salamanca, the campo charro, is a major center of ganaderias bravas, fighting bull breeding, with 152 ranches.

• Doma vaquera is closely linked to traditional cattle-handling practices and encierros, which are widespread cultural festivities.

• It also has a sporting dimension through regulated equestrian disciplines.

Doma vaquera is deeply embedded in the region’s history, rural life, and cultural identity, which justifies its protection as a BIC.